Tomorrow Will Be A Better Day

The hardest thing for a parent to witness is seeing their child in pain. Everyday of Olivia’s life, I have witnessed her in some form of discomfort, whether it be pain attributed to muscle spasms in her legs or pain originating in her stomach from severe gastroesophigial reflux disorder.   In the past four years, I have witnessed immense courage in my daughter. To live a life only knowing and feeling pain, and still have a positive and inspiring attitude is courageous.

I talk a lot about keeping hope. Hell,  I work hard everyday at holding onto it. I hope everyday, that one day Olivia will live a life free from pain. I mean really…is that asking too much? 

A woman I met today asked me if Olivia suffers and then said to me, “special children are given to special people”. My answer to her was “no” to both her statement and her question. I told her, I believe when someone suffers, they are pained physically and emotionally. Olivia feels physical pain, but her emotional spirit is so strong, she overcomes suffering and exudes strength. As for her statement, “special children are given to special people”,
We were given a beautiful child, no more special than our others, just one who had to fight a little harder for her place in this world. She came to us as a teacher. A teacher of strength and courage. We were not special people, we were loving parents that would do for her, the same way we would do for any of our other children. She just helped us to find the courage and strength to fight a little harder.

I have learned to take life, one day at a time.  Because one day, in our home can mean a day with very little pain for our Olivia. It can mean a day where she can sleep comfortably for more than 3 hours through the night and it can mean she might enjoy a meal without vomiting it up right away. So I’ve learned to have the strength and courage for today for her and tomorrow? Tomorrow is always hope.